Portal hypertension

Definition

• Elevation of portal venous pressures

Cause

•  Liver cirrhosis

Complications / Signs

• Oesophageal varices (gastro-oesophageal veins) > bleeding
• Haemorrhoids (rectal veins)
• Caput medusae (recanalised umbilical veins)
• Hypersplensism / Splenomegaly - thrombocytopenia, haemolysis

Treatment

• Treat and manage liver disease (qv)
• Reduce portal pressure e.g. beta blockers (chronic), octreotide (acutely during variceal bleeding)